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There will be no charges for the sheriff's deputy who killed a 13-year-old boy near Santa Rosa last year. The district attorney made the announcement Monday after months of investigation. NBC Bay Area's Jean Elle reports from Sonoma County with more on the decision and the community's reaction. (Published Tuesday, July 8, 2014)

"Here the implementation of lethal force was a reasonable response under the circumstances according to all of the evidence we have reviewed," she said.

Gelhaus told investigators he ordered Lopez to drop the rifle, but the barrel of the gun rose as the teen turned toward the deputies' patrol car. Gelhaus, who said he feared for his life, fired eight shots at Lopez, who was struck by seven bullets and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The district attorney's office released a 52-page report on what Ravitch called an "exhaustive" investigation into the details of the shooting. The FBI is still conducting its own independent investigation.

In response to Monday's announcement, the Lopez family issued the following statement:

"After a long delay, District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced today that she will not be filing criminal charges against Erick Gelhaus, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy who shot and killed 13-year-old Andy Lopez.

This disheartening decision leaves the family feeling as though Andy had been killed again today. It is impossible to accept Ravitch’s conclusion that Gelhaus shot and killed Andy in response to what he 'honestly and reasonably believed was an imminent threat of death to himself or others.' No reasonable officer in such circumstances could believe he was encountering anything but a teenager with a toy gun on a sunny afternoon in a residential area.

Erick Gelhaus’ exaggerated and careless response deserves a truly transparent and impartial evaluation. Ms. Ravitch’s conclusion is a mockery of justice and confirms that her office cannot meaningfully sit in judgment of local law enforcement. This cowardly political decision sends the tacit message that law enforcement officials who use excessive force in Sonoma County will not suffer meaningful consequences and, instead, will enjoy immunity from local prosecution.

The family, through their attorney, will petition the U.S. District court for the immediate lifting of the stay of the proceedings as to Erick Gelhaus and thereby allow the civil case to move forward as to him and Sonoma County.

The family will also urge the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Attorney’s office to conduct an impartial investigation as to the shooting and killing of Andy Lopez.

Lastly, for those who share their anguish over this decision, the family asks that the Sonoma County community to continue to observe peace."

Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas also released a statement about Ravitch's decision, saying his "heart goes out to the friends of Andy Lopez, the involved deputies, and the entire Sonoma County community during this difficult time."